The MoU was signed at the Defence Service Asia exhibition being held in Kuala Lumpur on April 16.

It will allow SMEO to build the cases with better efficiency, said a SMEO source. Poly Technologies represents Chinese companies that produce components for small arms ammunition and components for various calibers.

Each party to the MoU will cooperate and explore opportunities in “future enhancement or upgrading of the manufacturing processes at SEMO’s premise to include machines, equipment and knowledge base,” stated a press release. It also includes the “joint evaluation for potential business of products required by various users,” and “human resources development for SMEO personnel in various fields of manufacturing.”

Poly Technologies has a history of nefarious activities. In 2008, it was accused of trying to ship weapons to the Zimbabwe government during the election crisis, but the South African government refused to allow the Chinese ship carrying the cargo to unload the arms.